Mayor in ambitious ‘volunteering’ program to fix Harare

Harare Mayor Herbert Gomba has embarked on an exercise to engage volunteers to complement council’s efforts to transform the City.

In a statement posted on his social media page, Mayor Gomba said the invitation was open with immediate effect and those who want to play a part must forward their names to the mayoral office.

“Yesterday we launched our development plan for the city. Today I call upon our residents to complement our efforts and join us in the transformation agenda by volunteering to help fix the city,” posted the Mayor.

“Electrical engineers, technicians, plumbers painters , horticulturalists and all those professionals, my call to you is spare time to contribute to your city . Time has come to fix our robots, our tower lights, our solar lights, our sewer, our toilets, our flowers and all that which can make our city to be a better place to live in again.”

The Mayor ended his invitation by thanking those who are approaching his office to share ideas and list to volunteer.

The Mayor's volunteer program seems to be a step in the right direction as indicated by people who responded to his post.

Simudzai Mureri said, “You are in the right direction and please establish a one-stop volunteer office,which will handle this issue without being referred from lap to post.I fully support the initiative your worship.”

Others such as Simbarashe Chinyuku said that though it is a nobble idea to ask for volunteers, there was need to ensure that council workers change their minds set towards work.

“I have observed those from the works department who are resurfacing Chiremba road, they come late and most of the time they will be resting under trees. I hope they are not claiming overtime. Same with refuse collection and sewer bursts,” said Chinyuku.